sticker shock OEM front pads

huffentuff09

Member
:
2009 MGM speed3
Ok this comming from a guy who opts for the $19.95 brake pads over the $34.95 from Auto Zone. Just wondering here why the stock pads on the
MS3 cost so much $$$$$$$$$ , I could see dealers charging $80 or $90 but more than double that for a front set , I am like WTF.,. Just wondering how many miles you guys are getting out of a set before replacing.. I mean No autoXing just daily use ??? For such a conservatively priced car, they have some pricey parts!! Explain why!!
 
why buy oem? you can get better pads at a better price. look at the link remspeed provided. the hawk hps are what I am running and I love em. Less dust, better stopping.
 
Whenever possible, avoid buying parts from the dealer... brake pads/rotors, tires, clutch, etc... it's all disgustingly overpriced, even compared to high-quality aftermarket items. Even *************.com has OEM front pads listed at $200, compared to $75 for Hawk HPS. There's absolutely no reason to pay that premium.
 
Just wondering how many miles you guys are getting out of a set before replacing.. I mean No autoXing just daily use ???

2,000 miles ago i had 9/32 and 10/32 on the front pads and i consider myself to drive in an average way. i don't autoX, i use a lot of engine braking, and not a lot of time on the highway

everything from the dealer is more expensive, even though most of the stuff they never even make themselves. it costs a lot of money for mazda to test products enough to make them a "genuine mazda part." im sure there's motor oil that has "mazda" written all over it but it could be the same exact thing as penzoil or castrol.

all that extra cost means is that the product will work specifically for that mazda's application so you don't have to go out and research 100 other products yourself to find the right dimensions or materials or whatever
 
I work in a parts dept for my dealership, so maybe i can explain a bit. Parts are expensive through a dealership because they cost alot from the manufacturer. The dealer has to buy the parts from mazda at cost, and sell them at list price (msrp) plus whatever percentage markup the dealership has. The speed3 has 4 piston calipers correct? That means the pads are of a performance variety and compound + genuine mazda part= more expensive. Youd be surpised what the cost is on alot of the parts sold at dealerships...

80% of the money a dealership makes is through parts and service. Dealerships make next to nothing on new cars.

The percentage over the list the dealership charges is up to them, and also gives the dealer a way to sell parts "cheaper" to customers and still make money on it. Giving the customer the impression they are getting a deal, and will come back in the future.
 
why buy oem? you can get better pads at a better price. look at the link remspeed provided. the hawk hps are what I am running and I love em. Less dust, better stopping.

I got a set of front and rear HP+ for $150 and in spite of what some others have reported they make NO noise and don't seem to dust more than the OEM pads....and definitely better stopping performance!
 
Mazdaspeed brakes

The MS3 uses huge, single-piston, "floating" calipers. ;)
i bet i get beaten with a stick over my opinion on this. The stock speed 3 brakes are awesome. Some of the best factory brakes i have ever had the pleasure. of stopping. with. I am one those people who want to upgrade parts to my ideals, and usually get right on it. So iwanted to do brakes. Ones that tolerated alot of heat and had a progressive feel especially just before lock up. Yes i know we have abs, but this cars' is dialed back a bit it seems. Or balanced very well. I bought replacement pads at around twenty thou. After removing wheels there was so much pad left i could not bring myself to swap out for the EBC yet. So ibeat the brakes up to wear them down. Got the front rotors to smoke and go away almost, more than once. They cleaned themselves from the glazing quickly and went right back to work. i replaced finally with the new higher performance pads and rotors and fluid and lines at 40k. I just have to have these go fast goodies on my car regardless. But in my opinion, the stock brakes are worth the price, they really are that good. Mine are a differnt feel and tolerate heat better but i drive harder than i should maybe. the stockers rocked!
 

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